Labour Costs in Bulgaria
Hourly labour cost, 2025
Source: Eurostat: Labour cost levels by country, 2025 (lc_lci_lev)1
Pay by sector, Q2 2026
| Sector | Average gross a month |
|---|---|
| Information and communication | €3,079 |
| Finance and insurance | €2,140 |
| Electricity and gas supply | €2,036 |
| All sectors | €1,444 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | €1,031 |
| Hotels and restaurants | €918 |
Source: BTA: Average wage of €1,444 in Q2 2026 (NSI)2
Private-sector pay rose by 11.5% over the year, public-sector pay by 4.8%.2
What a salary costs the employer
| Gross a month | Employer pays | Employee takes home |
|---|---|---|
| €1,444 (average) | about €1,717 | about €1,120 |
| €2,000 | about €2,378 | about €1,552 |
| €4,000 | about €4,435 | about €3,315 |
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, individual, other taxes4
Worked out with the lowest employer rate of 18.92% and the employee rate of 13.78%, both on pay up to the €2,300 monthly cap, and 10% income tax on the rest. Above the cap only income tax applies, so senior staff are comparatively cheap.4
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an hour of labour cost in Bulgaria?
Labour cost in Bulgaria was €12.0 per hour in 2025, the lowest in the EU, compared with an EU average of €34.9. This figure includes wages and employer costs.
What is the average monthly wage in Bulgaria, and how quickly is it rising?
The average gross wage in Bulgaria was €1,444 a month in Q2 2026, up 9.8% over the year. Private-sector pay rose by 11.5%, compared with 4.8% in the public sector.
What is the minimum wage in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s minimum wage was €620.20 a month in 2026. The average gross wage across all sectors was €1,444 a month in Q2 2026.
Which sectors have the highest and lowest average pay in Bulgaria?
Information and communication had the highest average gross monthly wage in Bulgaria in Q2 2026, at €3,079. Hotels and restaurants had the lowest, at €918.
How much does an employer pay for a salary in Bulgaria?
For a gross salary of €1,444 a month, an employer in Bulgaria pays about €1,717. The calculation uses an employer rate of 18.92% and an employee rate of 13.78% on pay up to the €2,300 monthly cap, with 10% income tax on the rest.
Sources
- Eurostat: Labour cost levels by country, 2025 (lc_lci_lev)
- BTA: Average wage of €1,444 in Q2 2026 (NSI)
- Eurostat: Monthly minimum wages, July 2026 (earn_mw_cur)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, individual, other taxes
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
